California paper wasp
Polistes californicus
insectView on iNaturalist
Slender wasp, reddish-brown with yellow markings, builds open papery nests. Hunts caterpillars and flies. Excellent garden pest control, generally non-aggressive.
Plants that support California paper wasp
2 plants
Lace Lipfern
Myriopteris gracillima
perennial herb
Uses dense fern fronds for nest site protection, particularly in arid foothills
Bay Area native
Nested Polypody
Polypodium calirhiza
fern
nest construction and protection in frond clusters April-September
Bay Area native